Water Crisis in Pakistan

Outline

Introduction: Pakistan is among those vulnerable states which are in bracket of dangerous water crisis.

Causes of Water Crisis:

1. Hegemonic attitude of India.

2. Inter-provincial disputes over distribution of water.

3. Government’s indifference towards construction of dams.

4. The increased silting of dams 5. Outmoded irrigation techniques among the poor.

6. The burgeoning gap between demand and supply.

7. Monopoly of the feudal over water resources in their areas.

8. Increased evaporation due to global warming.

9. Short sighted policies.

Effects of Water Crisis:

1. It has precipitated disintegration of federation of Pakistan.

2. It can trigger war between India and Pakistan.

3. Deterioration of irrigation system.

4. Decline of industrial sector.

5. A setback to live stock sector.

6. Decrease in volume of export.

7. Kicking off poverty.

8. Rapid brain drain and unemployment.

Steps to Resolve Water Crisis:

1. Formulation of consistent policies in need of hour.

2. Political consensus of water issues.

3. Small dams in arid areas of Baluchistan, Punjab and Sindh.

4. Improvement in irrigation system 5. Provincial reservation over Kalabagh dam should be removed.

6. Implementation of Indus Water Treaty in letter and spirit.

7. Desilting of dams.

8. Propagation of awareness among farmers regarding modern techniques of irrigation.

Conclusion

Water is driver of nature. It is soul of economy of any country. World will become colorless without this
priceless gift of nature. Even life of people and other living things grossly hinge on availability of water.
However, unluckily, contemporary world witnesses rapid scarcity of water. It poses a serious threat to
life and livelihood. Pakistan is also among those vulnerable states which are in bracket of water crisis.

Many reports- recently issued by leading organizations – show that future of this country appears rough
and tough due to water enigma. The reason is simple: its economy will collapse because it is an agrarian
state. Consequently, Pakistan will be at the verge of destruction. Even today, water issue has spawned
myriad conundrums for this sorry state of affairs. These issues range from creaking economy to
crumbling democracy. Social polarization, religious extremism and dichotomy are-directly or indirectly-
related to this problem. Needless to say, it Pakistan resolves this issue on emergency basis; it will pace
up towards progress and prosperity. It will be able to throw its all socio-economic and religion-political
woes into dustbin of history. The previous governments have regrettably, failed to cope with this issue.

Ironically, after construction of two major dams – Tarbela and Mangla in 1970, Pakistan is unable to
construct other dams.

This government also seems to follow suit the previous regimes. Shockingly enough, constant apathy
and lack luster will lead the country towards abyss. It is time to wake up and resolve this issue seriously
and sincerely. Otherwise unthinkable will become inevitable.

There are many causes of water crisis. The first and foremost reason behind this tangled issue is
hegemonic attitude of India. Indian government and political elite have never embraced Pakistan’s
independence by heart and soul.

They still desire to rule over this land of pure. They pursue their nefarious designs in different fashions.
For examples in 1948, they withheld Pakistan’s share and blocked the rivers that flow towards Pakistan.
They aimed at destabilizing Pakistan at its nascent stage. Pakistan concluded Indus Water Basin Treaty
under compulsion in 1960. Under this treaty, Pakistan owns three western rivers and India three Eastern
rivers. However, India has never followed rules and regulations of treaty. It still violates it by
construction of its dams on Pakistani rivers. Thus, Indian ambitions have kicked off water crisis in
Pakistan.
Moreover, Pakistani government is also uninterested in this matter. This issue has never been on priority
agendas of government since 1970s. Though previous governments started some mega projects to save
water, yet they could not meet expectations. Construction of many reservoirs is in doldrums.
Mainstream government is mired in problematic malpractices. It is entrapped in security dilemma and
governance issues. Resultantly, water issue is as ever, on back burner.

Furthermore, the increased silting of dams triggered water crisis. The dams are now outdated. They are
unable to store adequate amount of water. Their silting can reach the point of no return. This is a very
serious matter for concerned authorities to ponder over. Reports suggest that Pakistan’s existing dams
will not be able to be utilized by next decade.

The reason is rapid silting. Hence, this adds fuel to fire. Besides this, inter-provincial disputes over
distribution of water are undeniably dangerous. This rivalry also poses threat to integrity and
sovereignty of Pakistan.

Kalabagh dam issue – is looming for a decade. Provinces always blame one another for their own
shambolic mismanagement of water. Moreover, unequal apportionment of water among provinces also
adds salt to injuries. For example, Punjab gets 37% share of water but Baluchistan – the largest province
in area – gets just 12%. It justifies this Balochi quotation, “People walk bare-feet on golden soil”.

Thus, inter-provincial vitriol is responsible for dire water crisis.

Pakistan always touts its irrigation system for being the largest one in the world. However, the bitter
truth is that it is ravaged and devastated. Poor farmers have little knowledge about using modern
irrigation technology. They use outdated instruments and waste their time and energy in addition to
wastage of water. Most of the water drains into Arabian Sea without being utilized. Pakistan’s irrigation
system is worthless now. And, use of outmoded technology has spawned water crisis.

There also prevails burgeoning gap between demand and supply. Demand is increasing geometrical and
supply is arithmetical. There are several areas of Pakistan which are facing scarcity of water. The
economic hub, Karachi, is also faced with same issue. The game changer Gwadar port will be far-cry, if
water crisis in Baluchistan is not tackled immediately. Similarly, deserted areas of south Punjab and Thar
in Sindh are under constant threat of water shortage. Hence, demand and supply gap is widenings day
by day which is paving the way for disastrous water crisis.

As every problem has some implications, same is the case with water crisis. The most drastic impact is
that it can precipitate the disintegration of federation of Pakistan. Inter-provincial wrangles and finger
pointing have been repercussions. Federation is at brink of devastation. It is blamed for unequal
distribution of shares and resources. The trust deficit is deeply entrenched. Being a tropical country,
natural calamities like floods avalanches are common here.

These natural catastrophes often lead to war of words among provinces. Ultimately, they weaken the
foundation of federation.
Moreover, it can trigger war between India and Pakistan. Indian hegemonic and aggressive postures are
unnecessary and unwelcomed. These belligerent gestures and hard diplomacy are matter of grave
concern. Both states have legacy of deep-seated hostility with each other. They have also gloomy
episodes of wars. Water is an issue that can also be a nuclear flashpoint between two states. The rivalry
of two nuclear states over water issue – along with other issues – is threat for peace and prosperity of
region and world.

Therefore, water crisis have grave impact on sensitive and vulnerable relations of India and Pakistan.

Furthermore, water crisis is responsible for deterioration of agriculture system. Agriculture adds 21%
revenue to GDP of Pakistan. According to Economic Survey of Pakistan 2015-16, 45% of labor force is in
agriculture sector. Pakistan also exports its agriculture products to the world. Recent budget has shown
discouraging results;

agriculture sector’s growth is 0.19% and cotton production has declined to 27%. Indeed, this is grave
effect of water issue which is casting shadows over economy of country.

What is more, this year has witnessed sharp decline of industrial sector. Particularly, textile industry is
damaged.

Many industries require water for regulation of machinery.

Others also depend on raw material produced by agriculture sector. Urban areas of Pakistan have been
rapid ribbon development but water issue may reverse the tide. Business outlets and industries are on
downward trajectory. Water crisis has paralyzed them.

In addition to this, it has dangerous effect on energy sector. Outages have plunged Pakistan into
darkness. There is shortage of dams to generate hydel energy which is sustainable as well. There is
demand of 21000MW of electricity. However, supply is just 17000MW. As a result, daily routine of
people is disturbed. They cannot utilize their energy and traits properly for progress of state. Energy
sector is directly linked to industrial and agricultural sectors. Power crisis means dwindling of economy,
ultimately the instability of state.

Water crisis has also given a setback to livestock sector. More than 60% of village population of Pakistan
lives on livestock sector. They sell milk products and meat of animals to earn bread and butter. Recent
reports show appalling results. According to WHO, Pakistan is among those countries which see ripples
of poverty in their rustic areas. The reason is crystal and clear: livestock of villages in on decline because
of inadequate water supply. Floods also obliterate villages from the map of country. Hence, livestock
bears burnt of water crisis.

However, game is not over yet. Some pragmatic efforts can resolve this issue pertinently. There is a dire
need of formulation of consistent policies regarding this matter.
More importantly, the implementation of comprehensive policies is a must. Otherwise, all efforts will go
in vain.

According to a report, Pakistan is about to become a water scarce country. Currently, its water is 1000
MAF. However, within a decade, it can reach 100 MAF. Consequently, Pakistan will be a water scarce
country. It is mandatory to carve out the first-rate plans to preclude this nightmarish scenario.
Moreover, Pakistan can save its federation power, sovereignty and integrity through consensus of
provinces on this issue. The legitimate concern of every province must be addressed immediately.
Pakistan is already faced with security, governance and foreign policy issue. The disintegration among
provinces is a disastrous threat.

Maturity, sincerity and patience are needed and wanted in political arena. On one hand, federal capital
must swallow bitter pills and take tough decision. On the other hand, provinces must embrace sense of
selflessness and sacrifice for progress of state. Indeed, there is no royal road to glory, but consensus can
pave the way.

Furthermore, Pakistan can build smaller dams and reservoirs to take this issue. The mega projects and
dams take great stretch of time. The need of hour is to build smaller dams in order to avoid imbalance.
Policies can also be formulated for larger dams. This should be a long term policy to harness water
resources. However, a short term policy should go hand in hand with that one. In this way, a balance will
be created and Pakistan will gradually get rid of this enigma.

The irrigation system of Pakistan also needs attention of those who are sitting at the corridors of power.
Pakistan cannot compete in this fast growing world with obsolete technologies and dilapidated system.
Regrettably, South Korea read Pakistan’s Five Plan in 1960s to emulate. Today, Pakistan lags far behind
from South Korea and is likely to emulate its policies. The reason behind this regress is that Pakistan has
never explored and addressed loopholes in its irrigation system. The bottom line is that, experts must
spring into action to revamp this system.

Additionally, implementation of Indus Water Treaty 1960 is necessary. Pakistan can raise issue of Indian
hegemonic attitude at international fora. It can request or lobby international community to pressurize
India for implementation of treaty. India has built Wular Barrage, Kishan Ganga and Baglihar Dams on
Pakistani rivers.

Pakistan has legitimate concerns for its security which is always under threat because of inimical
immediate neighbor It is wiser for both states to implement Indus Water Treaty according to principles
of International Law.

The whole discussion corresponds to the conclusion that water scarce dangerously in Pakistan. There
are speculations that Pakistan will be a water scarce country within this decade. Experts have predicted
gloomy future of Pakistan, if the issue remained in doldrums. Its causes range from Indian posture to
internal mismanagement. The overwhelming demand – supply gap’s consequences are unbearable.
Indeed, economy is a download hill. Politics is skewed and lopsided; resulting political crisis and chaos.
Society is rocked. Security is vulnerable and foreign policy witness fiasco. Industrial, agricultural and
livestock sectors are under grave jeopardy. There is need of structural changes, proactive policies and
their vigorous implementation. Political consensus, construction of small reservations, amelioration of
irrigation system and implementation of Indus Water Treaty are some steps that government must take
as soon as possible.

Undoubtedly, the earlier is the better.